Occupied Balochistan: A complete shutter-down strike was observed in many areas of Balochistan on Friday in protest against the killing of Baloch Republican Party (BRP) Central Information Secretary Jalel Reki and Baloch National Movement (BNM) activist Muhammad Yunus. Their bodies were found in Aap Sar area of Turbat on Tuesday.

The strike call was given by BRP and was supported by BNM and various other student organisations. All shops, markets, commercial establishments, banks, pharmacies and restaurants remained closed for the day. Traffic was thin on the roads as people preferred to stay within their houses in support of the strike call. Routine life in major parts of Balochistan remained paralysed on Saturday. Strikes were also observed in Panjgur, Gwadar, Turbat, Pasni Jiwani, Ormara, Mastung, Mongechar, Awaran, Tump, Hoshap, Mand, Buleida, Khuzdar, Surab, Kalat amd Dera Allah Yar.

Political leaders and parties issued statements to newspapers condemning the killing of missing persons while in custody. No untoward incident was reported from any part of Balochistan during the shutter down strike.

BHRO (Baloch Human Rights Organisation) have organised a protest demonstration in front of Karachi Press club against the extra judicial killing of BRP leaders Jalil Reki and BNM activist Mohammad Younus Baloch. A large number of Baloch women and children also took part in the protest to condemn illegal abduction of thousands of Baloch political activists by Pakistani security forces and extra judicial killings under-custody. The protestors chanted slogans against Pakistan and its security agencies for the ongoing atrocities against Baloch people.

They also strongly condemn the collusion between Iran and Pakistan while terming it a systemic joint war against Baloch people by both occupying states. They said that Iran and Pakistan were violating international human rights and war laws. They charged the both state are involved in killing innocent and unarmed civilians in Balochistan whereby violating all basic human rights of the Baloch people.

They urged the freedom loving Nations around the world and International Human Rights Organisations to take notice and condemn [Pakistani] state terrorism in Balochistan. “Help the Baloch in their struggle for freedom and world peace”, they said in their concluding remarks.